“The Venture and Special Assistance Program provides support to new and innovative programs in our community, so that they can address the need currently in Broome County. Each of the projects receiving a grant represents an opportunity to improve the lives of community members and to create lasting changes. These opportunities would not exist without the funding made possible through the United Way and the Howland Foundation,” said Ann McNichols, chair of United Way's Community Impact Cabinet.

The Venture Grant Program of United Way of Broome County was permanently established in 1990 when its Board of Directors earmarked up to one percent of the allocable funds from each year’s annual fund-raising campaign to be set aside for such grants. United Way of Broome County later expanded the program to cover special assistance grants as well.

ACCORD, a Center for Dispute Resolution, Inc.

CASA volunteers and mediator recruitment and training resources (2004)

Establish a divorce mediation program in Broome County (2007)

Purchase printed materials and radio advertising about Assisted Senior Communication program (2008)

Action for Older Persons, Inc.

Publish and distribute an updated "Broome County Elder Services Guide" (2003)

Health insurance outreach campaign for minority seniors (2006)

Distribute 9-1-1 Beacon flashing lights to adults aged 75 or older in rural communities in eastern Broome County (2008)

ADRDA, Inc. (Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association)

Simple pleasures at home (2000)

Grant to the RACERS (Reaching Alzheimer’s Disease Caregivers Through Education and Rural Support) program to provide services to caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (2002)

Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter

Provide personal care services to elderly people with physical limitations, educational and supportive services for their caregivers, and education on financial issues and fraud prevention (2009)

American Red Cross, Southern Tier Chapter

Begin implementation of a training program to address the increasing demand for certified nursing assistants in our area (2011)

Binghamton Association for the Education of Young Children

Pilot program at seven participating childcare centers using the Partners for Learning curriculum and assessment model developed by Dr. Craig Ramey (2002)

Binghamton Rotary Charities, Inc.

Supply all Head Start and public elementary school nurses in Broome County with "head lice tool kit" to use in dealing with head lice among students (2002)

Blind Work Association, Inc.

Purchase safety equipment for high-risk elderly, including smoke alarms and locks for 1,000 legally blind people age 60 or older, and install this equipment in partnership with First Ward Action Council (2002)

Boy Scouts of America, Baden-Powell Council, Inc.

Camp kids need a break, too (2000)

Purchase bicycles and helmets for Trail Masters program, a week-long adventure at Camp Tuscarora for youngsters, ages 14-21 (2003)

Week-long day camp for youth in the ARC program (2007)

Help fund expanding Camp Tuscarora from a six-week summer venue to a year-round program (2008)

Boys and Girls Club of Binghamton, Inc.

Nova Net--youth link to learning program (2000)

Fitness, Health, and Nutrition Center (2001)

Purchase of tables and chairs for youth programs, including expanded technology center (2002)

Multi-media arts program for children, ages 5-18 (2003)

Resident camp/cabin project at Camp Sertoma (2004)

Percussion music program for kids, ages 6 to 17 (2005)

Replace pool liner and install proper drainage around pool at Camp Sertoma (2006)

Fund a step dancing program for girls 12 through 17 (2008)

Provide a unique opportunity for local teenage girls to participate in a step team (2011)

Boys and Girls Club of Western Broome, Inc.

Exercise and nutritional instruction for adolescent girls who are above normal weight for their height and age (2003)

Promote health and wellness for its members, ages 6 to 18 (2008)

Grant to work with parents and caregivers to help families spend more valuable time together and provide a network of support (2009)

Broome Community College Foundation

Early educator's conference (2004)

Professional development activities for local child care directors (2006)

Broome County Council of Churches

Transportation initiative/interfaith volunteer caregiver (2000)

Project HOPE (2001)

Purchase of materials to allow a newly renovated warehouse to provide fresh produce to 21 Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW) food pantries and the Broome Bounty program (2002)

Hire part-time volunteer coordinator and provide volunteers with mileage reimbursement (2003)

Implement 10 Trust in the Lives of Older Women groups (2006)

Installation of 15 wheelchair ramps for elderly, disabled, and chronically ill (2010)

Broome County Head Start

Provide electrical hook-ups so Lourdes Mobil Dental Unit can serve children and families at Head Start centers in Endicott, Whitney Point, and Harpursville (2008)

Broome County Urban League, Inc.

Van purchase challenge (2001)

Offer special programs to at-risk youth (2007)

Broome County YMCA

Infant and toddler room update (2001)

New and safer basketball hoops for the gym (2005)

Purchase adaptive equipment to help children with different levels of special needs (2006)

Provide staff supervision for Community Midnight Basketball program (2007)

Complete renovations to lobby of West Family Branch (2010)

Broome Library Foundation

Summer reading program for kids and their families (2005)

Broome-Tioga ARC

Provide assistance in navigating guardianship process for those with a disabled relative (2007)

Broome-Tioga BOCES

Study of 15 local school districts to identify options for improving efficiency of service and/or making improvements in quality of educational opportunities for 38,000 students in districts served. (2005)

Catholic Charities of Broome County

A free youth counseling program for 80 young people, ages 11 to 21, at the Gateway Center for Youth (2005)

After School Program at Gateway Center for Youth (2010)

Catholic Social Services of Broome County

Active parenting of teens educational materials (2000)

Catholic Youth Organization

Creation of Youth Adventure Leadership Program (2007)

The Center for Adolescent Services

Male teen sexuality group "Testosterone Talk" and rural counseling groups (2000)

Children’s Home of Wyoming Conference

Juvenile justice detention diversion (2001)

Parents' Night Out (parent education and support program) (2004)

Preventing children from relapsing into former unhealthy behavior or criminal activities (2006)

Community Potential, Inc.

Lead youth, ages 8-12, from Binghamton Housing Authority to work in teams with scientists, engineers, artists, and civic leaders to design a futuristic Mars community (2008)

Conklin Ave. First Baptist Church

Urban community youth mentorship (2004)

Conklin Presbyterian Church

Purchase computers, active play equipment and supplies to expand School-Aged Child Care (SACC) program (2009)

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County

Urban youth workforce preparation (2001)

Grant to open a Family Support Center in Endicott (2003)

One-day conference by Forum for Youth Investment to ensure young people are ready for work, college, and life by age 21 (2008)

Implement a program designed to address issues of adolescent stress management, depression, and suicide, and to build systems of support for young people (2011)

Danielle House

Provide housing, transportation to and from hospital, meals, comfort, etc. to any elderly patient who lives in outlying area of Broome County and is receiving extended out-patient treatment at a local hospital (2009)

Provide guest rooms for parents with newborn children receiving treatment in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Wilson Hospital (2011)

Day Nursery Association, Inc.

Hire part-time education coordinator (2003)

Purchase two-way radios to allow communication among agency's three sites during an emergency (2007)

Renovate large open, unused garage space in childcare building of Binghamton Housing Authority into safe large activity room for use by children when playground is inaccessible (2009)

The Discovery Center of the Southern Tier

Program for high-risk youth (2007)

Epilepsy Foundation of Rochester-Syracuse-Binghamton

Create part-time position to offer case management for area residents with epilepsy (2006)

Fairview Recovery Services, Inc.

Purchase, stocking, and distribution of basic clothing to individuals in need (2003)

Staff training for Homeless Management Information System, which collects and shares data about homelessness in Broome County (2006)

Provide basic clothing and hygiene items to about 960 individuals not residing in the Addiction Crisis Center (2008)

Provide Adventure Therapy ropes course programming to residents of the agency’s community residence (2011)

Family and Children’s Society, Inc.

Early intervention alternative to violence (2001)

Treatment of youthful sexual aggression (2001)

Teach alternatives to teens identified as physically, verbally, or emotionally violent to others  (2005)

Identify seniors with mental health needs and connect them with services in the community (2010)

Family Enrichment Network, Inc.

Preschool special education services (2004)

Provide information to local childcare providers about link between chronic disease and lack of physical activity (2006)

Purchase computer equipment for technology center (2007)

Ferre Institute, Inc.

Improving access for genetic counseling patients (2004)

First Ward Action Council

Home repairs for seniors (2001)

Foundation of State University of New York at Binghamton, Inc.

Women as leaders (2000)

Family mentoring program (2004)

Provide information to older adults about stroke identification and treatment (2005)

Action plan to support families in two areas of Binghamton with children, birth to age 5 (2006)

Program to allow high-risk students from Broome County to attend statewide Empire Promise Youth Summit (2007)

The Friendship Tree

Implement a training program to provide participants with education, skills, and resources for safe sleep environments for infants (2011)

Girl Scouts, Indian Hills Council, Inc.

Summer day camp program (2000)

Health relationships patch program (2001)

Rebuild high ropes portion, including six elements and climbing wall, of Adventure Challenge Course at Amahami Outdoor Center (2002)

Purchase equipment for canoe interests group, the Susquehanna River Raiders (2007)

Upgrade the Health Center at the Amahami Outdoor Center (2008)

Handicapped Children’s Association of Southern New York, Inc.

Otacoustic testing (2001)

Purchase of a used pediatric power wheelchair (2003)

Fit for Fun, a program to engage children and their families in healthy lifestyle choices (2010)

Haven After School Program

Help pay salary of basketball coach mentor for one year for program attended predominantly by black, male youth ages 14-18 (2009)

Jewish Community Center of Binghamton

Establish mobile science center within early childhood center (2006)

Johnson City Senior Citizens Center, Inc.

Implementation of an outreach program to Laotian elderly within Broome County (2003)

Kopernik Observatory and Science Education Center

Hands-on science outreach program to eighth grade students at West and East Middle Schools in Binghamton (2008)

Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York, Inc.

Create multilingual reading room for low-income individuals, primarily refugees and other recent immigrants (2006)

Literacy Volunteers of Broome/Tioga, Inc.

Reach Out to Read media campaign (2000)

Replace and update training and tutorial materials (2002)

Lourdes Hospital

Young parent support program (2000)

Development of Wilderness Adventure Therapy Program, a non-traditional therapeutic setting to serve at-risk youth (2002)

Organization of a conference for at-risk teens, 14 to 17, including forums and workshops run by other young people (2005)

Full day conference about infant and toddler behavior featuring a nationally known expert (2007)

FASTWORKS program to prevent substance abuse in Newark Valley Central School District (2010)

Family empowerment program in collaboration with Chenango Forks School District (2011)

Meals on Wheels of Western Broome, Inc.

Helping hands project (2000)

Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier, Inc.

Socialization/theater project (2001)

Everyday courage: a mental health education pilot program for Windsor High School (2004)

Match trained community volunteers in one-to-one mentoring relationships with youth aged 5-17 from diverse cultural, racial, and economic backgrounds who are at risk of developing emotional, social, and behavioral problems (2009)

Mom’s House of Endicott New York, Inc.

Kitchen renovation (2000)

Literacy enhancement program of reading and writing skills in preparation for kindergarten (2002)

Nutrition instruction to parents (2003)

Purchase of new property which will include an outdoor play area for kids (2005)

Purchase a storage shed and tools for maintenance and yard work (2008)

Purchase a portable defibrillator and prepare staff to use this equipment in case of a heart attack, and purchase touch-free waterless sanitizer dispensers to help stop the spread of germs (2009)

New Life Ministries

Expansion of the food pantry to provide more food to those in need (2005)

Opportunities for Broome, Inc.

Four-day orientation and training for the staff of a new child care center in Endicott (2007)

One-day workshop on the seven basic skills for discipline (2010)

Planned Parenthood of South Central New York

Teen drop-in center for teens to get information and talk to trained staff members (2004)

Creation of materials for parents and their children concerning sex, pregnancy, and health-related issues (2005)

Furnish a new, larger Teen Drop-in Center (2008)

Pregnancy prevention program focused on adolescent males (2010)

Purchase new portable medical equipment for use in the clinic (2011)

Rebuilding Together Broome County

Provide free home repairs for low income elderly, disabled, or families with children (2009)

Provide free home repairs to at least two clients who are low income elderly, disabled, or families with children (2010)

Provide free home repairs to at least two low income, elderly, disabled, or families with children (2011)

Recess Resources, Inc.

Purchase furnishings and equipment for its school age child care center and pre-school program (2006)

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)

Exercise classes targeting people with arthritis (2006)

Rural Health Network of South Central New York, Inc.

Northern Broome transportation partnership program (2000)

Northern Broome transportation program (2001)

Prescription assistance to individuals who are ineligible for public health insurance (2006)

Improve access for homebound elderly in northern Broome County to nutritious, locally produced food at Whitney Point Farmers Market (2009)

Southern Tier Celebrates!

Art program targeting "at-risk" youth (2005)

Southern Tier Alternative Therapies

ProMISE program to help 15 teens who are at risk of dropping out of school (2010)

Southern Tier Institute for Arts in Education

Art training to local preschools, pre-kindergarten, child care centers, and three Broome County libraries as part of their children’s hour programs (2002)

SOS Shelter, Inc.

Purchase and distribute 44 cameras to local law enforcement agencies to aid in response to domestic violence calls. (2005)

Purchase and install outdoor lights for shelter building. (2006)

Purchase and install security monitor system (2008)

Trinity Memorial Church

After school program to help young people gain better social skills and do better in school  (2005)

Veterans Services Center

Establishment of a support group for veterans who have committed felony crimes, addressing the unique mental health needs of veterans. (2005)

Volunteers of America of Western New York, Inc.

Fire safety equipment for emergency men's shelter (2004)

Purchase breathalyzers to identify alcohol problems more quickly among residents of its emergency shelter (2006)

Purchase of video equipment and workbooks for use in weekly life skills training workshops on many topics (2007)

Purchase two computers and printers for use by residents in housing programs (2009)

Fred L. Waterman Conservation Education Center

Day camp scholarships (2000)

Summer camp (2001)

Scholarships to low income children to attend a camp at the center during school breaks and holidays (2002)

Teen explorations in conservation (2004)

Safe and stimulating outdoor skills course for youth (2006)

Whitney Point Preschool and Daycare

Playground expansion, speakers and library resource materials (2000)

Grant to build a 5,000 square-foot child care and pre-school center (2002)

YWCA of Binghamton/Broome County

Kids Korner renovation (2001)

Purchase of supplies to develop a resource room for mothers and children (2002)

Purchase of materials and equipment for Kids Korner childcare program, replacing worn out  equipment and supplies (2003)

Computer lab for YWRAP program (2004)

Purchase supplies and equipment for newly renovated classrooms in child care center (2008)

Updated: January 10, 2012